Manchester City lodged an appeal on October 2 against the findings of an independent commission that the club had seriously breached the Premier League's financial rules for more than a decade. The commission found that the ten-time English champion club had entered into bogus commercial deals with a number of its sponsors as part of a "disguised financing scheme".
First modification: 10/02/2026 - 22:27 Last modification: 10/02/2026 - 22:27
The Manchester CityPremier League confirmed this Friday that it had lodged an appeal against a conviction that found the club guilty of all charges related to serious breaches of the league's financial rules.
An independent commission released its findings earlier this week and City had until Friday to appeal; The Premier League leader announced shortly before midday (11:00 GMT) that he had done so.
No sanction has yet been decided, but City could face significant point deductions, a fine or even expulsion from the top flight.
The ten-time English champion team, which continues to deny any wrongdoing, said in a statement: "The club's firm position is that, for multiple reasons, the ruling contains clear substantial errors, both in law, principle and fact, and is unfounded."
"The club is innocent of the allegations made by the Premier League and there is a comprehensive body of irrefutable evidence to support all of its positions in relation to this case."
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The Premier League has released a statement stating that "the hearing before the independent appeal committee will remain private and confidential until the result is authorized for publication."
On Friday morning, the English Football Association broke its silence on the case, saying the commission's decision "has significant implications for the integrity of football."
"We are carefully analyzing the decision and its implications, and will take appropriate action," the national governing body said in a statement.
Read alsoFalsified finances of almost 1.2 billion dollars: Manchester City, cornered
"Concealed financing agreement"
The independent commission found City guilty of more than 100 breaches of Premier League financial rules over a period of almost a decade.
According to the commission, the agreements signed by City artificially inflated income and reduced expenses by more than 900 million pounds ($1.2 billion) between 2009 and 2018, a period in which the club won three Premier League titles and other trophies.
The commission determined that the team had hidden the true situation of its finances and noted that it had "significantly breached the spending limits of both the Premier League and UEFA."
It has been widely reported that City will allege, as part of their appeal, that major sponsorship deals were funded by the Abu Dhabi Government, and not the club's owners.
Premier League rules do not prohibit state bodies from sponsoring clubs.
Adapted from its original English version
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